Lois Pope Explained
Lois Berrodin Pope (born June 7, 1933)[1] is an American philanthropist. She is the widow of National Enquirer founder Generoso Pope Jr.[2] [3]
Early life
Pope was born Lois Berrodin in suburban Philadelphia.[4] She attended, but did not graduate from, Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia,[5] which later presented her with an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree in recognition of her philanthropic work.[5] Pope later attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey and Florida Atlantic University.[4] Pope has an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from the Rabbinical College of America.[6]
Philanthropy
Pope established the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation and the Lois Pope LIFE Center.[5] The Lois Pope LIFE Center is a neurological research facility that originated from Pope’s contribution of $10 million to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.[7] In addition, Pope has donated $12 million to the University of Miami's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute to establish a center for research into treatments for macular degeneration and retinal diseases. The new center will be called the Lois Pope Center for Retinal & Macular Degeneration Research.[8]
Pope’s organizations have sponsored a variety of charitable endeavors, including a clean-water project in Guatemala, summer camp grants for disadvantaged youths, programs to honor disabled veterans, and HealthCorps.[1] She initiated the discussions which led to the creation of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial,[9] to which she and her foundations donated more than $10 million.[10]
As a patron of the arts, she has supported the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, the Palm Beach Opera and the Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach.[1]
Personal life
Pope married William Morris agent George Wood in 1959.[4] They had two children, Maria and Michele.[4] [11] [12] [13]
She was married to Generoso Pope, Jr., who acquired the National Enquirer in 1952. In 1988, he died of a heart attack at the age of 61.[5] About a year after his death, and according to the terms of his will, the executors of his estate put the Enquirer and its sister publications up for sale. The company was bought in a closed auction by Macfadden Publishing and Boston Ventures partnership for $412 million.[5]
She resides in Manalapan, Florida.[14] [15] She has four children.[16] [17] [18] One of her children with Generoso, Lorraine (born 1973), has Down syndrome and lives in a residence for developmentally-challenged individuals in Ross, California.[19] [20] [21] [22]
In May 2013, Pope's son, Paul, was arrested on a complaint of public nudity and intoxication.[23] [24]
Notes and References
- The Lois Pope Foundation, "Tribute to 3 Million Disabled American Veterans", Disabled World, May 23, 2011. Accessed April 16, 2012.
- Web site: National Enquirer Heir Says Feuding Mother Wants to 'Villainize' Him - ABC News . Abcnews.go.com . 2013-04-11 . 2013-09-29.
- Web site: 'Profligate lifestyle'! - Orlando Sentinel . Articles.orlandosentinel.com . 2007-06-14 . 2013-09-29.
- Web site: Mrs. Pope's Money - Sun Sentinel . Articles.sun-sentinel.com . 1995-11-19 . 2013-09-29.
- The Lois Pope Foundation, "About: Leaders in Furthering Education" Leaders in Furthering Education. Archived from the original on February 16, 2006. Accessed March 25, 2006.
- Web site: Florida Atlantic University will honor Lois Pope for integral role played in founding Honors College . TCPalm . 2011-02-24 . 2013-09-29.
- The Lois Pope Foundation, "The Lois Pope LIFE Center Will Be Top Neurological Research Facility In The World", Lois Pope Foundation, October 26, 2000. Accessed April 16, 2012.
- Web site: University of Miami Bascom Palmer receives $12M gift for research . bizjournals.com. 2018-08-16.
- News: Architect of Modern DAV Retires. Wilborn. Thom. DAV News. May 2, 2013. April 6, 2014.
- News: Philanthropist Expands Reach with Additional $1 Million Gift to Building of American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. Travel & Leisure Close-Up. May 26, 2011.
- News: Generoso P. Pope Jr. Dead at 61; The National Enquirer's Publisher . The New York Times . 1988-10-03 . 2013-09-29.
- Web site: Paul D. Pope vs. Lois B. Pope et al . Matbrolaw.com . 2013-09-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140106183953/http://www.matbrolaw.com/assets/pdfs/Pope-v.Pope.pdf . 2014-01-06 . dead .
- Web site: Gift to Kann Melanoma Foundation to go for dermatology... . www.palmbeachdailynews.com . 2013-02-25 . 2013-09-29.
- Web site: Lois Pope's son sues her for more than $5 million claiming... . www.palmbeachdailynews.com . 2013-09-29.
- Web site: Property valuation of Isla Verde Way, Delray Beach, FL: 7551 (MICHAEL J ROTHBERG), 7557 (JEFFREY ROSENBERG), 7563 (SELMA PLUZNICK), 7564 (LOIS B POPE), 7569 (ROBERT B JAEDER), 7570 (GERALDINE REICH), 7576 (STANLEY DEUTSCH), 7582 (LEONARD J BOROW), 7587 (MICHAEL S PAUL), 7588 (CHRSALX INC) (tax assessments) . City-data.com . 2013-09-29.
- Web site: Mrs. Pope's Money - Page 2 - Sun Sentinel . Articles.sun-sentinel.com . 1995-11-19 . 2013-09-29.
- Web site: Fortune lost! Family feuds! . NY Daily News . 2007-07-06 . 2013-09-29.
- Web site: Family Photos: The Heart Of Her Art - Sun Sentinel . Articles.sun-sentinel.com . 1999-05-21 . 2013-09-29.
- Web site: Miami New Times – 05-02-2013 : Metro . Digitalissue.miaminewtimes.com . 2013-09-29.
- Web site: Kyle Swenson . Pope Family Battle: Like The Godfather - - News - Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach - New Times Broward-Palm Beach . Browardpalmbeach.com . 2013-05-02 . 2013-09-29.
- Web site: Lorraine Pope, Youngest Daughter of Lois Pope, Takes Home Gold Medal from Special Olympics . Life-edu.org . 2013-07-25 . 2013-09-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140103190426/http://www.life-edu.org/press-release.php?id=88 . 2014-01-03 . dead .
- Web site: Ainsworth . Brent . Cedars of Marin's new campus dedicated - Marin Independent Journal . Marinij.com . 2010-06-15 . 2013-09-29.
- Web site: Lambiet . Jose . Lois Pope has son Paul arrested on stalking complaint - Jose Lambiet . MiamiHerald.com . 2013-05-19 . 2013-09-29.
- Web site: The Ongoing Feud Of The National Enquirer's Pope Family . Forbes . 2013-09-29.